Kuhnhausen S&W Shop Manual edition differences?

[MG-70]

I've been ignoring my S&Ws. Eventually I'll need to fix end-shake on one gun, and possibly swap a hammer on another, and I'm the curious type and like to tinker. My guns have mostly pre-mim parts. Used books, especially manuals, are usually a lot cheaper.

Does anyone know what I get extra for the later 5th and 6th(?) editions?

Thanks in advance!

 

[armorer951]

The later edition (5th edition) is far superior to the earlier ones and contains many more high quality illustrations, photographs, and other data. All around better volume of information IMO. I'm not aware of a 6th edition.

You won't miss anything contained in the earlier editions by purchasing the newest one.

Your local library may have these books, and you can often find them for sale used online.

Carter

 

[MG-70]

I appreciate the feedback! I'll look for the most recent edition, and stop by a large, local, used bookstore I actually have credit with, for the pounds of books I dropped off some years back.

On a related topic, would you happen to know if the 1977 Roy Jinks book History of Smith & Wesson has important info that is not covered in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson?

Thanks again!

 

[cgt4570]

Agree. I misplaced my 4th ed when I moved, and of course, the only way to find it was to buy the 5th. I then gifted the 4th to a fellow Smith guy.

 

[rockquarry]

I appreciate the feedback! I'll look for the most recent edition, and stop by a large, local, used bookstore I actually have credit with, for the pounds of books I dropped off some years back.

On a related topic, would you happen to know if the 1977 Roy Jinks book History of Smith & Wesson has important info that is not covered in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson?

Thanks again!

I have two Roy Jinks books, one is a thin one that he co-authored with someone else; it's mostly old photographs with little text. The earlier "history" book I probably bought forty or more years ago. I haven't read either in a long time, but if you like S&W history, get both.

 

[rockquarry]

The later edition (5th edition) is far superior to the earlier ones and contains many more high quality illustrations, photographs, and other data. All around better volume of information IMO. I'm not aware of a 6th edition.

You won't miss anything contained in the earlier editions by purchasing the newest one.

Your local library may have these books, and you can often find them for sale used online.

Carter

I couldn't find an edition number on my book. I can't remember when I bought it but it wasn't recently. The last copyright date is 1990. Is that a clue as to what edition it is? I didn't know there were any revisions.

 

[armorer951]

The original "first edition" or first printing came out in 1986. Subsequent printings occurred in 1987, 1989, 1990 and the 5th printing or edition was in 2014.....which was listed as an "expanded" edition and includes additional information.

 

[glowe]

. . . On a related topic, would you happen to know if the 1977 Roy Jinks book History of Smith & Wesson has important info that is not covered in the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson?

Thanks again!

Since this is a gunsmithing section, I will answer in relation to the topic. Roy did not author anything related to gunsmithing of S&Ws. He is a historian, retired after a long career with S&W. He knows everything about the company's history, all models of S&W known, and research and development within the factory over the years.

History of Smith & Wesson is just that - history. Smith & Wesson 1857-1945 is a handbook for collectors authored by Robert Neal and Roy Jinks and is considered the best source for information about all models from the very first tip-up through WWII revolvers. Both are must have books for any S&W collector.

 

[Nemo288]

There are several copies of the 5th edition Kuhnhausen at ebay for around $40.
A couple offerings also have the companion DVD which I have never seen.
The 5th edition is the best one IMHO. I also have #3 and #4.
The entertainment value of the MIM rant at the end is almost worth it alone.
(Not that I agree with all of it).

 

[chief38]

I bought a copy about 35-40 years ago when it was still a bit "crude". I will say it was very very good when I was a novice and was a great reference book. I have not looked at mine in decades as I am constantly working on Smith's so I don't forget. That said, I won't get rid of it as it is still a wonderful reference book if I need something I've not done in a long while.

Although I've not seen the newest rendition, I'd bet it it's vastly improved with better pictures and is a must for someone starting out and wanting to do his own gun smithing. A must for vintage revolver owners who have taken the plunge on doing their on work.

 

[MG-70]

Since this is a gunsmithing section, I will answer in relation to the topic. Roy did not author anything related to gunsmithing of S&Ws. He is a historian, retired after a long career with S&W. He knows everything about the company's history, all models of S&W known, and research and development within the factory over the years.

History of Smith & Wesson is just that - history. Smith & Wesson 1857-1945 is a handbook for collectors authored by Robert Neal and Roy Jinks and is considered the best source for information about all models from the very first tip-up through WWII revolvers. Both are must have books for any S&W collector.

Thank you for the feedback! You're absolutely right, one is a shop manual and the other a historical count of the evolution of the design or designs. I should've written two different posts and placed them in separate sections of the site. I'm sorry.

I'll keep an eye out for both publications.

Thank you, and a safe week to all!

 

[MG-70]

There are several copies of the 5th edition Kuhnhausen at ebay for around $40.
A couple offerings also have the companion DVD which I have never seen.
The 5th edition is the best one IMHO. I also have #3 and #4.
The entertainment value of the MIM rant at the end is almost worth it alone.
(Not that I agree with all of it).

Thanks for the suggestion! I've read that from the manufacturing cost and precision aspect, the MIM parts are better, but to me, from an aesthetic point of view, the pre-MIM parts take the prize. I guess it depends on what you're going to do with them and whether you only seen them as tools.

Thanks and have a safe week!